The Top Greyhounds in the UK for 2024
As the 2024 British greyhound racing season approaches its conclusion, a few remaining races could still influence the overall standings. However, a preliminary assessment of the year's highlights—including the top dogs, trainers, and tracks—can already be made.
Key Races and Outcomes
The Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket, held at Crayford in February, saw Dazl Rolex claim victory under trainer Ricky Holloway. Regrettably, this may mark the final Golden Jacket in British racing history, despite its long-standing presence at the venue since 1987. In November 2024, the Arena Racing Company, which oversees Crayford Racecourse, announced plans to close the facility for the upcoming season, citing declining attendance and financial unviability as the primary reasons. The last race at Crayford is scheduled for December 26, featuring the Ladbrokes Boxing Day Marathon, a distance of 874m. If the trend of diminishing racing venues continues, British racing enthusiasts may soon find themselves watching virtual races on their devices rather than in person at the track, much to the delight of animal rights activists.
In March, the Stadium Bookmakers TV Trophy race took place at Crayford, where Bubbly Inferno, trained by Paul Young from Romford, emerged victorious. The dog had also recently won the 1028m ultramarathon at Crayford a month prior, making it a contender for the Marathon Runner of the Year award.
On April 27, the Arena Racing Company Laurels (480m) were contested at Perry Barr Stadium, with Kilwest Ranger, trained by Paul Harmes, taking the top spot.
The Premier Greyhound Racing Regency (695m) at Brighton Racecourse was won by Baywatch Bullet, trained by Belinda Green from Hove. Earlier in March, this greyhound secured the Jim Woods Memorial Trophy (630m) at Montmore.
The Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger (710m) unfolded in September at Perry Barr Racecourse, where Seamus Cahill's trainee, Droopys Clue, emerged victorious. This greyhound was previously nominated for both the Rookie of the Year and Stayer of the Year awards. In August, Droopys Clue also won the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic (630m) at Montmore and the StarSports Maurice Newman Memorial (500m) in June at Towcester.
The Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks (480m) was claimed by Druids Say Go, a female greyhound trained by Patrick Janssens, at Perry Barr.
Greyhound Derby
The Greyhound Derby, the pinnacle of British greyhound racing, is now held at Towcester Stadium. Enthusiasts travel from across England to witness this historic competition, the oldest of its kind globally, with thousands tuning in online.
From May 23 to June 8, 2024, three rounds of qualifying races occurred, followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals throughout June. A total of 193 greyhounds entered the competition, including 52 from Ireland. For the third consecutive time, an Irish greyhound claimed the title, showcasing their dominance in the event.
In the first semi-final, Irish contenders De Lahdedah, trained by Liam Dowling, and Boylesports Bob, trained by Paul Hennessy, alongside Mark Wallis's Whyaye Man, competed fiercely. Last year's finalist, Gaytime Nemo, failed to advance to the final, finishing fourth behind Boylesports Bob.
The second semi-final featured winners Churchfield Syd, trained by Richard Rees from Hove, King Memphis, trained by Liz McNair from Central Park, and the Irish greyhound Ballymac Gizmo, also trained by Liam Dowling.
Ultimately, De Lahdedah triumphed in the English Greyhound Derby with a time of 28.58 seconds, earning £175,000 for her trainer and breeder. Boylesports Bob secured second place, while Whyaye Man finished third.
Trainers
The Towcester team boasts the highest number of wins, with Diane Henry, Frank Gray, John Mullins, and Peter Harnden contributing to their success, while Patrick Janssens leads in overall winners. The Hove team has also secured several race victories, highlighted by Richard Rees's Churchfield Syd, who triumphed in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Montmore and finished fourth in the Derby final behind a competitor trained by Mark Wallis. The Central Park team owes much of its success to Liz McNair, a prominent figure in the training ranks, consistently placing her among the top three trainers in the country. This year, Mark Wallis, Liz McNair, and Patrick Janssens are the leading contenders for the Trainer of the Year award, with their dogs also vying for Greyhound of the Year honors.
Mark Wallis, Independent Trainer
Mark Wallis has celebrated numerous victories, including Garfiney Blaze, who claimed the ARC Cesarewitch (731m), the PGR Judgement Night Stayers (695m) at Hove, and the George Curtis / Ballyregan Bob Memorial (740m) on December 14. His remarkable dog, Coonough Crow, won the Friday Night Invitational Marathon (750m), the Ladbrokes Kent St Leger (714m), and the Maurice Newman Memorial Marathon (759m). Ballymac Taylor triumphed in 'The Decider' Match Race (925m) at Romford and the Fox Sports Surfacing Dorando Marathon (942m) at Towcester. New Destiny excelled in the Challenge Cup (650m) at Oxford, as well as the PGR Champion Stakes (575m) and the Coral Coronation Cup (575m) at Romford. Wallis's stayers are strong contenders for the Stayer of the Year award.
Patrick Janssens, Towcester
Druids Say Go, trained by Belgian Patrick Janssens, not only won the English Oaks but also claimed victory in the Click Competitions 78th East Anglian Derby at Yarmouth. Romeo Command has been a standout dog for Janssens this year, boasting an impressive record that includes wins in the BGBF Greyhound Stud Book Trophy (500m) and the BGBF Truframe Champion Stakes at Towcester, as well as the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse (500m) at Nottingham and the Coral Finals Night 500 Standard Div 1 at Hove. Last year, Romeo Command was nominated for the best standard distance runner, and this year is a strong contender for the same honour.
Liz McNair, Central Park
Liz McNair, whose dogs are distinguished by the prefixes King or Queen, has impressively risen to third in the trainers' rankings with just 160 runners. For comparison, Mark Wallis has 580, and Patrick Janssens has 334, while Kevin Hutton follows with 267 runners. In May 2024, Liz McNair won the Trainers' Judgement Night.
Her dog, King Memphis, won the Karl Thomas 50th Birthday Celebration (515m) and the Coral Finals Night (515m) at Hove. Although King Memphis was a Derby finalist and a pre-race favourite, he finished last after a poor start. Queen Joni secured victories in the Coral Brighton Belle PGR (515) and Judgement Night Bitches (500) at Hove, as well as the Townview Kennels Derby Plate (500m) and the ARC Kent Plate. Queen Joni advanced through the qualifying rounds of the PGR English Oaks, reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated, with Patrick Janssens's Druids Say Go taking the win.
Last year, King Memphis was nominated for the Rookie of the Year title, and both he and Queen Joni were contenders for British Greyhound of the Year. They remain well-positioned for success this year as well.
With several key races still to come in the 2024 calendar, including the All England Cup in Newcastle, the Ladbrokes Boxing Day in Crayford, the English Puppy Oaks in Towcester, and the BGBF British Bred Derby in Sheffield, there are ample opportunities for dogs and trainers to enhance their standings.